A look back at the ‘Revue’

The last Kaleidoscope Revue to benefit current, previous District 911 students

Click on any photo at the end of the story to take a look back at previous “Revue” shows.

After a brief hiatus, the Kaleidoscope Revue will return for its 20th and last performance.

Bruce Danielson has headed the effort since its inception, and he’s looking forward hosting this one. Shows will be at 7 p.m. April 10 and 12 at the Hardy Performing Arts Center, and proceeds go toward scholarships and events for students.

The variety show will feature the much-loved Ole and Lena – played by Danielson and Ann Berg – as well as some new acts. Look out for Zelda and a new act from the Fancy Dancers. Student Aurora Wahlstrom will be singing a song about memories while clips from old shows play.

This year, proceeds will also sponsor a dinner for the top 10 percent of District 911 students. The Top 10 Banquet invites the highest-performing students to a dinner with their parents and a district employee that has helped them achieve that excellence.

It’s an added benefit to having the final variety show that raises money for graduating and graduated students interested in pursuing an education career. The shows started giving out $500 scholarships in the beginning, but as it became popular, they were able to raise the amount to six $1,000 scholarships. Annually, three scholarships go to current seniors, and three go to former graduates who want to pursue teaching.

“Aren’t we lucky to have put it on all those years and to have accumulated that much money?” Danielson said.

It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since the first performance.

“When we started this show, my youngest was in diapers,” Berg said. “Now my children are all grown. I really appreciate my family. They’ve all been very supportive.”

Danielson’s fondest memories in the past 19 performances have revolved around an opera skit with his theatrical counterpart Lena.

“It was a takeoff from an opera,” Danielson said. “Where she came out with big horns on her head, as an opera singer. I came out in a tunic. That always got such a big laugh.”

Ole and Lena have had their share of laughs. Some of Berg’s best memories were working with Danielson.

“He just makes me laugh,” Berg said. “Watching him and his antics on stage have been some of my fondest memories, especially when things went wrong. It was always fun when things went right, but when things went wrong, the audience laughed and we laughed. Bruce always came through, and it made it really fun and special.”

“I’m just looking forward to the fun times and the laughter that always comes out of that,” Danielson said. “It’s such a morale booster, just sitting, laughing and enjoying (the show). (It) seems like a great way to bring the community together and have a good time.”

The new administration is getting in on the fun, too. Superintendant Ray Queener and former instructor Chris Miller will both be participating in a skit. Expect a tribute to Gary Christofferson and Bob Theis, who both passed away in the last year. Christofferson was known for pretending to be a lawyer in previous shows. He died in a car accident in August. Theis was known for singing “Camp Granada.”

In the past, Danielson said he’d see as many as 1,000 people attending. He hopes to see at least 400-500. Tickets are $5, and will be general admission seating. Tickets are on sale now and will be available at the Cambridge-Isanti High School office and at the box office on each of the evenings starting at 6 p.m.

“I have so many wonderful memories,” Berg said. “So many people have helped and came together to make it possible for more people to enter the teaching field.”
Ole (Bruce Danielson) gives Lena (Ann Berg) a piece or two of pie. Ole (Bruce Danielson) and Lena (Ann Berg) included their children in the show: Little Lena (Suzie Lahr) and Littler Ole (Adam Berg).

Lena (Ann Berg) named the worms and then couldn’t bring herself to drown them.